April 26, 2008
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IMMIGRATION REFORM
AT A GLANCE
Comprehensive Reform
Barack Obama has fought for comprehensive immigration reform that secures our border, fixes our broken
immigration bureaucracy and puts the 12 million undocumented immigrants on a responsible path to citizenship.Commitment
If Congress does not act in the interim, Obama will revive immigration reform in the first year of his
presidency.THE PROBLEM
Undocumented Population is Exploding
The number of undocumented immigrants in the country has increased more than 40 percent since 2000. Every year, more than a half-million people come illegally or illegally overstay their visas.
Immigration Bureaucracy is Broken
The immigration bureaucracy is broken and overwhelmed, forcing legal immigrants to wait years for applications.
Immigration Raids are Ineffective
Despite a sevenfold increase in recent years, immigration raids only netted 3,600 arrests in 2006 and have placed all the burdens of a broken system onto immigrant families.
BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN
Create Secure Borders
Obama wants to preserve the integrity of our borders. He supports additional personnel, infrastructure and
technology on the border and at our ports of entry.Improve Our Immigration System
Obama believes we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.
Remove Incentives to Enter Illegally
Obama will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire
undocumented immigrants.Bring People Out of the Shadows
Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine,
learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.Work with Mexico
Obama believes we need to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease illegal
immigration.OBAMA RECORD
Crack Down on Employers
Obama championed a proposal to create a system so employers can verify that their employees are legally
eligible to work in the U.S.Fix the Bureaucracy
Obama joined Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) to introduce the Citizenship Promotion Act to ensure that immigration application fees are both reasonable and fair. Obama also introduced legislation that passed the
Senate to improve the speed and accuracy of FBI background checks.Respect Families
Obama introduced amendments to put greater emphasis on keeping immigrant families together.
